Page 3 of Sold to the Dark Vampire Prince

“I hadn’t heard.”

They were both crowding her now. All vampires liked to chase, couldn’t resist the temptation of soft, vulnerable prey. Dani could only imagine what her pulse must have sounded like to them right now, thrumming wildly as they closed in.

Both of them wore heavy wool coats and expensive leather gloves, which complicated things. People said vampires didn’t get cold, but she’d long suspected this was more misinformation. Something that didn’t feel the bitter ice in its veins wouldn’t constantly crave human blood in order to warm it.

“Why don’t you just come with us now.” The first one slid his hand to her hip. The touch was enough to make her skin crawl. “Maybe we can make you forget.”

“I can’t. My sister is expecting me.” Dani forced herself to turn halfway, making her eyes round and innocent as the bare fingertips of her free hand grazed his cheek.

Neither monster thought to question why she wasn’t wearing gloves. Seconds later, the first vampire’s eyes went slightly unfocused and his watch and wallet were in her bag alongside his friend’s. Ducking her head, Dani turned her collar up just as the second vampire tightened his grip on her wrist.

“You witch. What did you do? Guards! She’s an aberrant blood!”

“Let me go.” Panic seized her. He was too strong.

A whistle sounded from somewhere down the street. She tried to wrench her arm free, even knowing that given his immortal strength, it was useless.

He slapped her, hard. The burn of his hand striking her cheek was quickly numbed by the cold. Blood flooded her mouth. Dani felt her knees go weak. Her vision began to spot.

She was going to faint and this was all going to be over.

His fangs sharpened, punching down from the top of his mouth as his eyes glowed feral with hunger.

“I’m going to enjoy this. I love the ones that fight back.”

“Let her go,” a voice snarled in the dark.

She didn’t see Evan move. Somehow, she managed to twist the vampire’s arm just enough so that Dani’s fingertips made contact with his skin a second time. His eyes instantly clouded.

Dani whirled on her sister, voice accusing. “You came back.”

“You’re welcome.” Evan was panting from the run, checking the street behind them as she pulled her towards the alley.

They had a pact.

No matter what, they couldn’t risk both getting picked up.

No matter what, one of them had to return home to Ava.

And still, she was grateful Evan had broken their rule, that she wouldn’t be spending the night in a cell, or worse.

A gray veil narrowed her field of vision. She lowered her head. There was no time for her aversion to blood. Not now. The guards would be upon them in seconds.

“Dani, we have to go. It’s nearly curfew.”

She grabbed her bag and together, they hurried off into the night.

The curfew siren had long since gone off by the time Dani made it up the stairs to their crumbling apartment unit with Ava’s test strips and the vial of insulin she so desperately needed. Twisting the key in the lock, she used her shoulder to force open the old stubborn door. She wasn’t surprised to see Evan had made it back first. They’d been born just a year apart. Evan had their mother’s dark hair and liked to claim being the middle child was responsible for her rebellious nature. Now she was pacing the short distance between the temporary bed they’d made up for Ava by the stove where it was warmer and the window, gnawing her nails to the quick.

“I got a message to the healer. She’s on the way. There wasn’t much food left in the shops, but I picked up some tinned vegetables and potatoes. The butcher had some bones that should make for a good broth. I have everything simmering in a pot.”

“There’s nothing better than soup when it’s cold.”

She had no idea how Evan had managed to convince a healer to come out on a night like this. The snow was coming down harder by the minute. But then, by unspoken agreement, Evan knew better than to ask what she had to trade away when she returned with precious vials of insulin and she didn’t ask about her sister’s contacts in the resistance.

Some things, they were better off not knowing.

“I was sure they’d picked you up.” Evan crossed the room to wrap Dani in a fierce hug. “There were patrols out everywhere.”